All of the compositions on this first CD production of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame - Na Lani 'Eha (the four Royal ones and the 4 patrons of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame) were written by the siblings of the Kalakaua Family, two of whom were the seventh and eigth (final) ruler of the Hawaiian Kingdom, King Kalakaua (7th) and Queen Lili'uokalani (8th) before the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the United States of America. To our knowledge there has been no other world leader(s) of the 19th century and even into the 21st century who composed songs for their national patriotism, their lifestyle, their annoyance, their 'aina (land), their ancestors, their journeys, their secret love, and their prayers for God's forgiveness of the super powered nation that conveniently and illegally overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893. It was in this particular year that Queen Lili'uokalani abdicated her throne to avoid bloodshed of Hawaiians for her military was no match to that of the United States Marines. The American Businessmen were so hungry for the profit potential of the Hawaiian Islands that they needed to destroy the Hawaiian monarchy forever therefore with the help of the United States Military illegally overthrew the Hawaiian Kingdom and imprisoning the Queen in her own home - 'Iolani Palace (the only Palace in the United States) for 7 months on the grounds of treason. While in prison the Queen writes the prayer of forgiveness - asking God to forgive those who cast their evil upon Hawai'i. The songs presented show the character of each poet - the intricate weaving of specially selected words that sometimes for hidden meaning. This was the clever skill of a Hawaiian poet. One can find an excellent example of a Queen's annoyance when the use of words indicates a chattering bird and presented in a rather catchy tune. This collection of songs is just a glimpse of the masterpieces of the Kalakaua Family a gigantic legacy left for the world to enjoy. Please go to the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame website know more about us. www.hmhof.org About the Artist: Ku'uipo Kumukahi is a true artist of Hawaiian music. From her family comes deeply rooted traditions, knowledge, and values, which she presents with the voice that has made her known throughout the State of Hawai'i, the continental United States and abroad performing in a variety of concert events and recording. Ku'uipo is "The Sweetheart of Hawaiian music." Ku'uipo regularly performs at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center on Fridays - 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. and at Duke's Marketplace at the Center of Waikiki on Saturdays - 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Ku'uipo's first effort as a musical artist earned her a single nomination in the annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (the "Grammy's" of Hawaiian music) and named her the most promising new artist. Her solo premiere recording gave her 9 nominations and an astounding five awards which included the Female Vocalist of the Year and Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year. Her second album, after a four-year rest, earned her 3 nominations and an award for the excellence use of the Hawaiian language in a musical composition. In 1999, the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts nominated Ku'uipo as Female Vocalist of the Year. That year, Ku'uipo obtained the Traditional Hawaiian Album of the Year by the Hawaii Music Awards. Ku'uipo is a self-taught musician influenced by family songs, Hawaiian singers and her parents. She learned to play the 'ukulele at a young age and through encouragement learned to play the guitar and bass. Formal music training occurred later when she privately studied voice lessons. Her musical education also continued in college. Aside from performing Hawaiian music, Ku'uipo managed the Diamond Head Center for the Association for Retarded Citizens of Hawai'i in 1994, where she worked with persons with mental illness and mental retardation. In 1995, Ku'uipo decided to pursue her college degree. She completed her necessary classes with a focus in music, Hawaiian language, and education. Ku'uipo received her Associates of Arts degree from Kapi'olani Community College and her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Chaminade University. She intends to continue her studies in pursuit of a Master's Degree of Hawaiian Language. Besides being a student and performer of Hawaiian music, Ku'uipo also conducts lectures for administrators of the Department of Education on topics such as "the values of a Hawaiian family." She has also guest lectured for the Kamehameha Schools' post-high scholarship recipients focusing on the value of Ho'omakaukau (to be prepared). As an entrepreneur, Ku'uipo, along with two business partners, created a new Hawaiian Heritage and Culture learning center - Halau Hawai'i. In addition, she has created her own recording label and production and performance company. Ku'uipo Kumukahi's mission is to produce, preserve, perpetuate and promote quality in Hawaiian music as well as the music of Hawai'i and its performance, which includes the use of Hawaiian language, and the use of artistry, mannerism and values that are unique to Hawaiian music and hula. In addition, Ku'uipo Kumukahi is the president of the Maiki Aiu Foundation; Vice-President (2007 - 2008) Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts; Artistic Director for the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame a.k.a. Hawaiian Music Foundation.